Question

A 5.0 g sample of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2, M = 164) contaminated with silica (SiO2, M = 60.1) is found to contain 1.0 g calcium. What is the mass percent purity of calcium nitrate in the sample?

Answer 1

Answer:

= 82%

Explanation:

Percentage purity is calculated by the formula;

% purity = (mass of pure chemical/total mass of sample) × 100

In this case;

1 mole of Ca(NO3)2 = 164 g

but; 164 g of Ca(NO3)2 = 40 g Ca

Therefore; mass of Ca(NO3)2 = 164 /40

                                                  = 4.1 g

Thus;

% purity of Ca(NO3)2 = (Mass of Ca(NO3)2/ mass of the sample)× 100

                                    = (4.1 g/ 5 g) × 100

                                    = 82%